A MEETING between religious leaders and worshippers has been held to discuss the future of an 800-year-old church.

The parochial church council of St Michael and All Angels Church, in Main Street, Tatenhill, met with the Archdeacon of Stoke, Matthew Parker, in a bid to thrash out a way to maintain the site as an ‘active place of worship’.

The emergency meeting comes almost one year after a similar gathering took place when it was believed that financial issues could have meant that the church would have to close its doors.

The Reverend Andrew Ridley said: “The situation is that Tatenhill Parish is not in the position to contribute financially to the cost of stipendiary ministry in Lichfield Diocese, which is an obligation every parish needs to fulfil to continue being a parish.

“A less onerous option would be for the church to become a ‘Chapel of Ease’.

“The residents of Tatenhill, through a church committee, would continue to be responsible for all the costs of maintaining, insuring and heating the building and continuing to be an active Christian community.

“A locally based church committee would be an essential part of a plan to make St Michael’s a Chapel of Ease, consisting of a sufficiently large group of people with the commitment and enthusiasm to raise funds and organise church life.”

Concerns were raised over the future of the church after it was revealed that the average size of the congregation was only 15.

Anyone who would like to get involved is urged to call Rev Ridley on 01283 712359 or email arceridley@btinternet.com